Leachs strom petrel

Introduction: Leach's storm-petrel (Oceanodroma leucorhoa) inhabit mainly deep ocean in waters from 2,000m to 5,000m depth. This species often sit on the water singly or in small flocks.

Distribution: Fairly common off the coast of Namibia. Arrives in mid-November and departs by the end of April.

Diet: Forages by day and night for small fish, planktonic crustaceans, squid and offal. Prey caught by surface-dipping.

Description: Fairly large storm-petrel. Oceanodroma is a combination of 2 Greek words. Okeanos is 'the ocean' and dromos means 'running'. Leucorhoa is a Greek reference to the 'white rump'. Head, neck and upper parts are blackish-brown with paler underparts and a blackish forked tail.

Breeding: Breeds on Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Females lay 1 oval, white egg, incubated for up to 42 days.

Size: 20cm.

Weight: 50g.

Wingspan: 45cm.